What exactly are the signs and symptoms of menopause? They can be quite different from one woman to another and from one culture to another. (Different diets cause differing degrees of symptoms)
When a woman no longer has menstrual cycles, for a period of a year more, she is said to be postmenopausal.
During this time of emotional and physical changes, there are numerous things to be learned about menopause: how to deal with uncomfortable hot flashes, how to deal with unwanted weight gain and learning to recognize anxiety and depression, often aggravated by menopause hormone changes.
Do You Have Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?
Extending from months to many years beforehand, the time span before the last menstrual period is called perimenopause.
During this time, a host of symptoms may begin, including hot flashes, insomnia, changes in sleep patterns, moderate to severe fatigue, heart palpitations, moodiness, weight gain, memory problems and vaginal dryness.
Some women will experience only a few of the symptoms but many will experience all of them, to some degree. Periods may become erratic and eventually menstruation will cease altogether.
Signs and Symptoms of Menopause Hormone Changes
Hormone levels of estrogens, testosterone and progesterone might change dramatically, leading to unwelcome physical and emotional changes. On the other hand, some women will sail through the changing hormones with little to no discomfort.
If progesterone drops heavily, in relation to estrogen, it can cause a condition known as ‘estrogen dominance’. This is unhealthy and may even promote unhealthy cell proliferation, leading to cancer.
If estrogen levels drop extremely low, a woman’s sex drive will suffer, and she may also be more prone to depression and anxiety. Even thyroid hormones may be disrupted by the menopause hormone changes.
Hormone replacement therapy, either with pharmaceuticals or bioidentical preparations, can often provide excellent symptom relief.
If a woman has other moderate or severe health issues, or has had a hysterectomy which induced the menopause symptoms, hormone replacement may not bring complete relief but may be still be helpful.
Dietary changes and certain nutritional supplements are worth evaluating. You may need to try several things to find what works for you. One common supplement, which contains the herb Black Cohosh, is Remefemin. It can be found easily online or at local retail stores, like Target and Wal-Mart in the US.
Physical health and mental health can play an important role in determining symptom severity. Some women will naturally go through the change with minimal symptoms, while others will experience much more discomfort. If you recognize signs and symptoms of menopause, your doctor can perform a hormone test to confirm your situation.
Signs and Symptoms of Menopause – Explained By a Physician